Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - VI

Present

At present, things have entered our minds which Guru Gobind Singh does not want. In this regard, Guru Nanak has said, “Papan bajho howai nahi, moea sath na jaee—You cannot obtain wealth without sinning, but this wealth will not accompany you after death.” [GGS 417] 

It is also said, “Maya papi ke ghar bhi hoe—There is wealth even with sinners.” By contrast, the Guru has told us that we are to earn by honest labor. We are to bring money home from honest labor, and also maintain enlightenment very powerfully within. How does one attain enlightenment? By reciting scripture, by meditating, by concentrating on Guru Nanak, on Guru Gobind Singh.

Weakness Inside

There is now weakness in us all. As we assemble to celebrate the Khalsa Panth, we should decide not to tell lies, and to forsake drugs and intoxicants. Anyone who is not reciting scripture should do so daily. Until we recite scripture, until we tell the truth, until we follow the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh, we may celebrate as many holidays as we like, we may hold as many assemblies as we choose, but dharam will not come just by our celebrations and conferences. Dharam is an inner thing. 

When you are alone, become united with dharam. When you are with your family, remain united with dharam. While you are amongst your relatives, follow the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh. One has one’s own feelings, one’s own ideas, but in the follower of the Guru, neither of these remain.

I have full faith that if one recites scripture with one’s whole heart, one’s karmas are burned up. The same is true for chanting Nam or meditating with one’s whole heart, for as Guru Arjun Dev said, “Nanak kai ghar keval Nam—The only thing in Nanak’s house is Nam.” [GGS 1136] , “What is my dealing with you? Whatever Nam, whatever voice of God, whatever grace of God has been given to me, I have come to share it with you.” 

Further, Guru Nanak said, “Ab kalu aeo re. Ik nam bowho bowho—Kali Yuga has come. Sow the seed of whatever Name by which you know God. In Kali Yuga, people will be saved by chanting Nam.” [GGS 1185] 

“Kal tati, thada Har nao—This Kali Yuga is hot; Nam is cooling. Mal lage sach bina—Without truth, you will be covered with filth.” [GGS 288] He has emphasized Nam so that we may remain happy during Kali Yuga. What does it mean to love Maharaj? To love his commandments.

--to be continued...

Khalsa - Guru Gobind Singh Ji 's Vision - V

Needed Now and Ever.

At this point in time, we cannot say that what Guru Gobind Singh has said is necessary only today. It was needed lakhs of years before now, and it will be needed lakhs of years into the future.

What is Right?

Before we celebrate such days as the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa Panth, we should bring home only those things to which we have a right. If a person is a farmer, he should bring to his home only that which he has earned with his two hands. If a person is an officer, he should bring home only that money which is his salary. 

If a person is responsible for any management position, and people bow before him and offer him things, a person who has faith in the Guru will feel that he has no right to take that nor will he have any part of it. 

Our part is only one: We are to give our ten percent tithe. This is true whether we become a leader, a sevadar, a worker, or a minister. Why? The Guru is our Father and we are all members of his family.

We should therefore consider what will happen to Sikhs now and what will happen in the future. You all know that Sikhism is not something which will end now; it will remain forever. What is Sikhism? It is the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanak. Their commandments will never end in this world.

Thus it is good to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa Panth. But in reality, as it is written in Gurbani, Hukam mania howai parwan, ta khashame ka mahal pae si—You can draw near to your Guru only when you obey the commandments.” [GGS 471]

Power Within

We have within us the power of Khalsa, the power of a Sikh. Guru Gobind Singh has said, “Har japia Har hoea—By chanting the Name of God, one becomes God.” The power of God is within us twenty-four hours a day. When we will set ourselves aside, then the power of God will remain and our power will not. Thus Maharaj has said, “Duwai te ek roop hoe gaeo—From duality, I became one.” [Dasam Granth 55] Which duality? That of feeling, “I am separate from God.” The Guru is always pervading in us—in our breath, in our life force, in our actions.

Khalsa

Do not consider “Khalsa” an ordinary word. It does not refer to outer dress. It means that with the outer dress, you take dharam within. Although at present we have good houses, good food, vehicles, all worldly possessions, we should not think that we have become Khalsa by obtaining these things. To become Khalsa, we will have to overcome the five evils. 

To become Khalsa:

• We will have to forsake lying. 
• We will have to forsake criticizing others. 
• We will have to forsake what is evil and grasp what is good.

If we are to be Gurmatt [following the Guru’s instructions] rather than Manmatt [following one’s own mind], then The Guru says to us night and day, “Control your thoughts; control your thoughts.” Thus Guru Gobind Singh says that one who is Khalsa controls his anger. There have been so many proofs of this way, so many generous actions. Those who were Gurmatt offered their heads; they left their homes and sacrificed their family life. Even in poverty, even in physical weakness, while staying in the mountains or the forests, they were following the hukam of Guru Gobind Singh. Even when they became homeless, they considered the orders of the Guru most important. They truly became Khalsa. Even when their heads were cut off, the power of the Khalsa was not diminished. Even when their limbs were cut off, the Khalsa did not waver.

--to be continued...